Cover 3 College Football Podcast: "Penn State fires James Franklin: What's next for the Nittany Lions?"

Date: October 12, 2025
Hosts: Chip Patterson and Tom Fornelli

Main Theme and Purpose

In this emergency episode, the Cover 3 crew reacts to the shocking news that Penn State has fired head coach James Franklin following a third consecutive loss. The hosts break down why the move happened, assess Franklin’s legacy, discuss the impact on Penn State football, and dive into early speculation about who could be the next head coach in Happy Valley.

Key Discussion Points

1. Immediate Reactions: Penn State Parts Ways with James Franklin

• Penn State’s firing of James Franklin was swift and unexpected, coming after a third straight conference loss and following a statement from Athletic Director Pat Kraft citing high standards and a desire for new leadership.

  • Chip: “We’re not even talking about a buyout...I think Penn State just passed the hat and did it.” (02:47)
  • Tom: “I really did not think that was going to happen. Not like—not this quick.” (02:58)

• Surprised at lack of a "mutual parting"—the university made a decisive move instead of waiting for the season to conclude.

2. Why Now? Examining the Decision’s Timing

• Ongoing concerns about potential team apathy and the dangers of letting “rot” spread in the program if action wasn’t taken.
  • Chip: “If we just keep going like this, the rot’s going to get worse...Best chance we have...is to take this, you know, youth movement or whatever, interim staff, and hope to be able to go out there and be competitive…” (03:34)
• Tom notes that a toxic environment was forming:
  • “As you go forward, whether the team quit or not, you were going to have...just fans at the stadium kind of, you know, yelling things the entire time.” (04:37)
• The abruptness: Penn State was a top-2 preseason team, was close in big games (nearly beat Oregon), but three losses ended the Franklin era.

3. James Franklin’s Legacy at Penn State

• "Dragged the program out of the stone age," modernizing operations and raising expectations, but failing to reach the national championship tier.
  • Tom: “Franklin modernized the operation and he won a whole hell of a lot of games, but he never really broke through...Now they want to find somebody who can beat the best of the best. I don’t know that coach is available..." (05:47)
• Under Franklin: Top 10 finishes in multiple years, 104 wins to 45 losses, a Big Ten title, seven New Year’s Six bowls, and a College Football Playoff berth.
  • Chip: “Since 2019...you have top 10 finishes in 16, 17, 19, 22 and 24. 104 wins and just 45 losses.” (06:49)

4. How Close Was Franklin to Staying?

• The margins were razor-thin—if Penn State had won a crucial overtime game against Oregon, the entire trajectory could have changed.
  • Chip: “If Penn State wins that thing in overtime...that is the narrowest of margins between charging ahead, looking like a Big Ten and national title favorite and firing your extremely successful 100 win coach just a couple weeks later. I mean, wild.” (08:21 & 08:34)
• Noted that a single turnover or win might have prevented this outcome.

5. Expectations for the Rest of the Season

• Loss of the starting quarterback and head coach within 12 hours—expectations drop dramatically.
  • “Their next three games are at Iowa, at Ohio State, and then Indiana. They’re probably going to get their ass kicked in their next three games.” (10:44)
• The new interim coach is Terry Smith (former WR, now cornerbacks coach and associate head coach).
  • Chip: Smith is “a former Penn State player…a big part of recruiting efforts… probably a good pick” (12:02)

6. What’s Next? Candidate Speculation for Penn State

• Tom dismisses fan favorite Kurt Signetti (Indiana HC) as unrealistic; Indiana is currently a very strong job with significant investment.

  • “Kurt Signetti is not leaving Indiana for Penn State in 2025…In this modern era, things have changed really quickly. Indiana right now is looking like a very similar job to Penn State.” (15:08)

• Main realistic targets discussed:

  • Matt Rule (Nebraska): Penn State alum, respected coach—could be lured home.
  • Matt Campbell (Iowa State): Midwest ties, proven program builder.
  • Other names floated: Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri), Brian Kelly (LSU), Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss), Fran Brown (Syracuse), Dan Mullen, Al Golden (Bengals DC), Clark Lea (Vanderbilt).

• On Matt Campbell:

  • “If Penn State ends up with him, I would be thrilled. If I'm a Penn State fan, I'd probably be more thrilled with that than Matt Rule.” (17:47)

7. Would Franklin Land Elsewhere?

• Consensus: Franklin immediately becomes one of the most sought-after coaches on the open market.
  • Tom: “James Franklin will only be on the market as long as he decides he wants to be on the market.” (07:06)
  • Chip: “He is going to be the most sought after candidate for power conference jobs. He could work literally anywhere from coast to coast.” (30:20)

8. Ripple Effects Across College Football

• The firing could affect coaching carousels at Florida, Auburn, LSU, and elsewhere—Franklin is available with no buyout obligations for hiring schools.
  • Tom: “If I’m Hugh Freeze or Billy Napier, I had a chill on my spine about now. James Franklin's out there.” (26:42)

9. Cultural Questions and Coordinator Considerations

• Debate over whether Penn State should pursue a proven head coach or a rising coordinator.
  • “I don’t feel like you make this move and then you go for an inexperienced guy. Unless you absolutely know, and that you never know.” (33:12)
• Glenn Schumann (Georgia DC) named as an intriguing out-of-the-box option.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Tom: “Franklin modernized the operation and he won a whole hell of a lot of games, but he never really broke through to where they wanted to get... And now they want to find somebody who can beat the best of the best. And I don’t know that that coach is available.” (05:47)
• Chip: “That is the narrowest of margins between charging ahead, looking like a Big Ten and national title favorite and firing your like, extremely successful 100 win coach just a couple weeks later. I mean, wild.” (08:34)
• Tom: “If I am Penn State, the more realistic options...are Matt Rule and Matt Campbell. It's going to be one of the Matts. That is my prediction.” (16:23)
• Chip (on the coaching job's appeal): “It is the best job that is available right now.” (19:22)
• Chip: “Man had an Ohio State problem, but that Ohio State problem has gotten him tens of millions of dollars. Perhaps a little bit of a fresh start.” (30:20)
• Tom’s Power Rankings: “If power ranking, who I think would be the better hire, I would have Matt Campbell above Matt Rule.” (32:24)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 02:46 – School's official release, gratitude to Franklin, decision rationale
• 04:31 – The risk of letting things get toxic or the team checking out
• 05:47 – Franklin's modernization and legacy at Penn State
• 06:49 – Recap of Franklin's successful tenure (wins, bowl games, playoff)
• 08:34 – Discussion of slim margin between keeping/firing Franklin
• 10:36 – Expectation reset for Penn State’s current season
• 12:02 – Terry Smith named interim head coach
• 15:08 – Why Kurt Signetti probably won’t be a candidate
• 16:23 – Matt Rule and Matt Campbell as predicted top targets
• 19:22 – The case for Penn State being the “best job available”
• 26:40 – Franklin's firing affects potential coaching changes at other major programs
• 30:20 – Franklin as most attractive free agent coach
• 32:24 – Tom’s coaching candidate power rankings
• 33:12 – Debate over hiring a coordinator vs. proven head coach

Additional Insights

• Coaching Search Strategy: Hosts stress the need for Penn State to "make these people say no," encouraging a bold and aggressive search targeting elite candidates.
• Program Status: Despite toxicity and recent losses, Penn State remains an elite, highly resourced program, making it a prime destination.
• Franklin’s Future: His stock remains high despite his firing; he’ll have his pick of top college or possibly even TV jobs.

Episode Tone and Style

• Conversational, occasionally irreverent, but deeply knowledgeable
• Willing to poke fun at the absurdity and unpredictability of college football coaching moves
• Candid about the industry’s realities and the unstable nature of coaching tenures

This summary covers the core content, real-time analysis, and in-depth speculation that make this episode essential listening for anyone invested in Penn State football or the national coaching carousel.